Resource Guide for Educators: About the Play
Bekah Brunstetter:
Bekah hails from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and currently lives in Los Angeles.
Plays include The Cake (Ojai Playwrights Conference), Going to a Place where you already are(South Coast Repertory), The Oregon Trail (Portland Center Stage Fall 2016, O’Neill Playwrights Conference; Flying V) Cutie and Bear ( Roundabout commission) A Long and Happy life (Naked Angels Commission), Be A Good Little Widow (Ars Nova, Collaboraction, The Old Globe), Oohrah!(The Atlantic Theater, Steppenwolf Garage, the Finborough Theater / London), Nothing is the end of the World (except for the end of the world) (Waterwell productions), House of Home(Williamstown Theater festival) and Miss Lilly Gets Boned (Ice Factory Festival.)
She is an alumni of the CTG Writers Group, Primary Stages writes group, Ars Nova Play Group, The Playwright’s Realm, and the Women’s Project Lab. She is currently a member of the Echo Theater’s Playwright’s group.
She has previously written for MTV (Underemployed; I Just want my Pants Back) ABC Family’s Switched at Birth, Starz’s upcoming series American Gods. She is currently a Co-Producer on NBC’s upcoming show, This is Us.
BA UNC Chapel Hill; MFA in Dramatic Writing from the New School for Drama. More info on Bekah found here.
Bekah and her writing style"
"I have to put myself in--I don't know how else to do it. Because writing is kind of a therapy for me and it is my space to say things that I'm too scared to say in real life, it's a little selfish and it's a little messy and for me to get through it, I have to have the "me" character." She listens to Baptist hymns while she writes, the music of her childhood and upbringing. She always needs a title before she can begin writing!
The Music of The Play:
Everything's gone white
Now you're here now you're away
I don't want this
Remember that
I'll never forget where you're at
Glycerin
Glycerin
I'm alone all the time
Are you at one
Or do you lie
We live in a wheel
Where everyone steals
But when we rise it's like strawberry fields
If I treated you bad
You bruise my face
Couldn't love you more
You got a beautiful taste
It's a rare condition, this day and age,
to read any good news on the newspaper page.
Love and tradition of the grand design,
some people say it's even harder to find.
Well then there must be some magic clue inside these gentle walls
Cause all I see is a tower of dreams
real love burstin' out of every seam.
As days go by,
we're gonna fill our house with happiness.
The moon may cry,
we're gonna smother the blues with tenderness.
When days go by,
there's room for you,
room for me,
for gentle hearts an opportunity.
As days go by,
it's the bigger love of the family.
Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morisette
I'm broke but I'm happy, I'm poor but I'm kind
I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah
I'm high but I'm grounded, I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed
I'm lost but I'm hopeful, baby
What it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be fine, fine, fine
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a high five
I kept the right ones out
Had an angel of mercy to see me through all my sins
There were times in my life
When I was goin' insane
Tryin' to walk through
The pain
And I hit the floor
Yeah, I thought I could leave, but couldn't get out the door
I was so sick and tired
Of livin' a lie
I was wishin' that I would die
More about The Oregon Trail:
Reviews of "The Oregon Trail"
"With a script that's brash and funny, a cast of talented actors with great comedic timing, and deft set design, The Oregon Trail is a fun show ... for anyone who grew up playing "Oregon Trail" or came of age in the '90s, The Oregon Trail hits all the marks."
10 Beloved Coming of Age Stories (For Girls)
From The Outsiders to Little Women, Growing Pains and My So-Called Life, Bekah Brunstetter's play The Oregon Trail has us reminiscing about our favorite coming of age tales.
"The Oregon Trail" Cast and Creative Team
Learn about the team battling dysentery in The Oregon Trail.
Perspectives series for "The Oregon Trail"
Join The Armory in partnership with PIGSquad, Rose City Games and the Oregon Games Organization for a series of 30-minute post-show discussions following select Sunday matinee performances of Oregon Trail.
Resource Guide for Educators: The History of the Game
What The Oregon Trail game meant for one pre-teen girl
Current & Upcoming
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Adult Class : TWELFTH NIGHT, Before & After
Join veteran actor Joe Costa for a unique opportunity to take a “deep dive” into both Shakespeare’s text of Twelfth Night, and the PCS Production. Participants will read the play out loud as a group, with “intermissions” provided for lively discussion of themes and content. Interested participants will have a chance to act in selected scenes, guided by the instructor.
Improv Comedy: Love, Shakespeare
Witness the Magic of unscripted Elizabethan comedy! Step into the offbeat world of Love, Shakespeare, where seasoned Portland comedians attempt something audacious: performing a fully improvised Elizabethan play based on your suggestions!
Albina Music Trust presents A Brown Branch Christmas
Celebrate this holiday season with A Brown Branch Christmas at Portland Center Stage. Now in its fourth season, this two-night big band celebration features directors Domo Branch and Charlie Brown III guiding a heavy 15-piece lineup of regional and national musicians.
BIPOC Affinity Night DJ Party with ALoSo
Join us for a double feature BIPOC Affinity Night, featuring a live DJ set by ALoSo, plus holiday craft market vendor tables, art exhibits by Albina Music Trust Wall to Wall Sound and Jason Hill's Favorite Things, with complimentary select drinks provided by Multnomah Whiskey Library and Deschutes Brewery while supplies last.
Winter Teen Academy: Scene Work
Calling all teens! Are you looking to expand your acting skills and be the best scene partner you can be for your fellow actors? In this class, we will dig deep into scene study, character motivation, and active listening, while learning the necessary questions to ask in every rehearsal situation. You'll develop fuller characters and deeper relationships on stage by partnering in scene work — and have lots of fun too!
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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